THE Eskom board has resolved to initiate an investigation into an allegation of racism made against CEO André de Ruyter, indicating in a statement that an independent senior counsel would be appointed to conduct the probe.

The counsel, the board said, would be empowered to interview any person who might be of assistance and could consider any evidence.

The counsel would report back to the board with recommendations.

No specific timeframe was provided for such a report, however.

“The allegation not only brings Eskom into disrepute, but it also threatens to detract and distract the focus of the executive team and the CEO in particular from their critical job of restoring Eskom to operational and financial sustainability.”

The allegation had been made by suspended chief procurement officer Solly Tshitangano, who wrote to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts, which subsequently indicated that it intended investigating the matter.

The utility’s board said it unanimously and unequivocally stood against racism and sexism, as well as for transformation and employment equity.

It said it was also committed to transparency and would provide updates at critical stages of the investigation. 

The National Union of Mineworkers, Eskom’s biggest labor group, said last week it was “highly disturbed” by allegations of racism against De Ruyter for purging Black suppliers from the utility.

It cited Tshitangano as saying that white-owned companies have been preferred.

The ongoing discord comes as the utility searches for a solution to address its debt pile that’s required government bailouts to service.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said last month that such a plan is expected to emerge by July.

Eskom is also running an ongoing maintenance program to try and improve the reliability of its coal-fired power plants.

The utility’s board said the counsel it’s appointed will be able to interview any person that may be of assistance in the probe, consider any evidence and then make recommendations.

“The board unanimously and unequivocally stands against racism and sexism,” it said.

“Simultaneously, however, the board has instructed the executive to promote a high-performance culture to enable the critically important turnaround at Eskom to be delivered as soon as possible.”

De Ruyter doesn’t have any additional comment beyond the statement, Eskom’s spokesman said by text message.

(SOURCE: ENGINEERING NEWS and AGENCIES)